Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-10-23
BASE BALL.
Items of Interest About the National Game
Players for Next Year.

3 BASE BALL.
Items of Interest About the National Gam
Players for Next Year.
r The pitching problem, which has S
perplexed the management of the Clncln
natl Club, IS now likely to be settled 70
some time, at least. The mana%emen
yesterday signed a new pitcher who has
reputation excelled by few twirlers in tn
minor leagues. His name is Leon Viau
which is pronounced as though spelle'
View" He was considered one Of tn
best pitchers in the Northwestern League
He played with the Minneapolis team las
season, and there was lively competition
among the clubs of the leading organiza
tiOns to secure him for next year.
Viau early last spring was in the boz
when his team played the heavy-hittinl
Detroits. In nine innings they were una
BILE to get more than two hits off his deliy
cry. Billy Halves, the captain of thu
Minneapolis team, said he considered Wat
the best pitcher in the Northwestern
League, and that he was the superior Of
Krock, of the Oshkosh team, and LOvett
and Will Sowders, about whom so much
has been written.
Viau is about twenty-four years of age
and is above the ordinary run Of ball
players in point of education. His home
is at Hanover, Mass, and he is graduate
of Dartmouth College. Viau will remain
here few days, but will not do any pitch
ing this season.
James A. Hart, manager of the Milwau'
kee Base Ball Club, has been in close con
sultation with the directors of the Louis
villes, with proposition to buy it out,
lock, stock and barrel. 1t is thought he
is backed by Spaulding, of Chicago, and
Milwaukee capitalists. 1t is his inten-
ton, if he can effect the purchase, to select
q team from the Louisville and milwaukee,
Clubs, upon the assurance that Milwaukee
will be admitted to the League next year.
The directors of the Louisvilles are willing
to sell, it is said, if they can get theil
price. They want three or four dollars t.
one on their investments, or about $40, OOC
for the franchise.
ct. PAUL, MINI, October 22.-AfteI
considerable skirmishing between Messrs
Spaulding, of the Chicagoes; Sullivan, o.
the WashingtOns, and Mutrie, OF the New
Yorks, the latter to-day signed E. f. Eos
ter, of the Minneapolis Club, the leading
batter of the Northwestern League, for thu
Giants. Fosters services were in great de
mand, and the figures that he demanded
and received were well up in the thou
sands. Mutrie also signed Cleveland, st
Pauls third haseman.
Louisville has not yet got the signatures
| nf nf 10 ar'g An
sence of Manager Kelly. President Phelp:
has signed Sam Smith, OF Denver, to play
first base. The contract is peculiar one
Smith bound himself TO Phelps as CLERK
in his law office, but the contract will bt
transferred to the base ball club. All o.
last years team have been reserved.
Pittsburg has offered the gigantic sun
of $25, 900 for one man, with the strong
hope that the exchange will be made. A
first sight it seems hard to believe, but al
ter two or three minutes reflection it will
be seen that there is nothing wonderful
about it.
Next year the percentage system will bt
in operation, that is, each visiting club vii
receive probably One-third of the receipts
A club with any remarkable features i;
sure to attract large crowds. 'Ten-thOu
sand-doliar Kelley" has proven this fact
this wear. A S25, 000-A Arson would GER
tainly be powerful magnet because tht
name of the club that had purchased hin
at this figure would be on the lips Of every
one, no matter whether they are base ball
Cranks or not This is one way of looking
at the matter from business point of view
A Memphis special says: "Hustling
Horace" Phillips has been skirmishing
around here ever since Tuesday, in hopes
of securing Andrews, the great first base
man Of the Memphis team, for his Pitts
burg combination. He left for Pittsburi
to- day without his prize. Finding An
drews had gone to Hot Springs, Phillips
spent Wednesday there endeavoring to Sc
cure his man, and obtained a promise
fron Andrews that he would sign with
Pittsburg provided he was released by
several of his Memphis friends from 6
promise not to sign until November l., il
order to give Memphis chance to raise
funds to carry on team next season.
NOTES.
Hoover and Kennedy, catchers, ant
Holiday, an outfielder, in the Western
League, have signed with the st. Loui
Browns.
Won der Abe says that Bennett is TIN
best catcher in the country. He says Ben
nett can out-throw, out-bat and backstoI
better than Bushong. -Clereldnd Leader.
Barnie is now looking for tirst-clas
short stop to take Davis place, and new
battery. Burns will play in the left field
and Sommer be held as reserve man.
Dunlap, Rowe and White showed the ST
Louis champions what ball players can do
They gobbled everything that came thei
way with ease and elegance. Bennett alst
gave proof that he is just as smooth an ar
ticle behind the bat as either Boyle o
BuShODg, and it takes a Splinter to stea
base on him.-PiiSJuTg EG.
Shomberg's old trouble, heart disease
is growing worse every day. Last weel
was the third time he had to lay off OF
this account He is thinking seriously o
quitting the business. All the player
advise him TO do so, as they believe b.
will some day drop dead on the field. /
would he pity to lose Shomberg from tn
profession, as he is undoubtedly one of tn
best batters in the country, -CleeldH,
Leader.
Hugh Duffy, Lowelps short-stop ant
third-baseman, has signed with the Chi
Cages for 1888, receiving $500 advance.
Pitcher Ed Morris is out again with
shade over his optic He has accepted
position at the Edgar Thompson Stee
Works as boss OF gang Of laboTers ant
will have charge of fifty men.
THE TORTILITA HOLES.